2 TC questions
 

1) If I didn't want to make large volumes of TC (I just want to try it and see how it works), where would be a good place to get an inexpensive small quantity of the TC medium that is pre-mixed and optimized for musa?

2) I've watched videos and read posts about TC, and the clean-room setups. I'm wondering of anyone has used UV light as a sterilization method- bath the tools and sample in UV to sterilize it, drop it in a ziplock with some medium, and blast the bag with an extra dose of UV just to get everything sterilized. Would that kill the sample below surface level, or just clean off the surface? Would UV penetrate the ziplock to sterilize it, or maybe I would have to use a glass jar and stick the UV light inside the jar to sterilize from the inside?

Just wondering if that might be an alternative to buying a hepa filter...

Keith

Re: 2 TC questions
 

I'm not sure you could use UV light to sterilise media or explant.

The media vessels will absorb a large amount of UV light rendering it useless and it's penetrative power means you only sterilise the surface of the explant.

You would need to use gamma radiation which has many down sides not least of which it would damage the DNA of your explant.

Re: 2 TC questions
 

You can get good, pre-formulated Musa proliferation medium here (it has everything you need in it): MUSA (BANANA) MULTIPLICATION MEDIUM - Media, Basal Salts, & Vitamins - M462

And for the final stage, rooting and shoot elongation, you can order this: BANANA AGS BASAL MEDIUM - Media, Basal Salts, & Vitamins - B144, and add sugar and a gelling agent (which is available from the same company).

I agree with James, UV will likely not be good enough to do the job. However, the vessels, medium and tools can be easily sterilized properly with a small stove top pressure cooker, and the tissue sterilized with alcohol. These sterilization steps however do not replace using a HEPA filter in your hood, that is to keep things sterile once you start working, but you still need to get everything you put in the hood sterile initially.

Re: 2 TC questions
 

Dose this mean their are 2 different mediums, 1st for right when you cut and the 2nd for after you get growth you multiply your cuttings and transplant? I always thought it was the same type of medium.

With these 2 mediums do I only need to add sugar, ppm, gelling agent, and sterile water?

In the sterilization process how long do I leave in each jar of alcohol, bleach and sterile water?